Consider this my first (and last) column on the entire Van Jones kerfuffle. Given how the story ended, somebody messed up on this one big time, and the only available suspect is the President himself. There are two possible ways that this was bungled, and we'll look at them both in a moment. But first, let's look at the list of "charges" against Jones by Obama administration … [Read more...] about How Obama Screwed Up the Van Jones Story Arc
For Lovers of Symmetry (Economic Truth from China)
Posted at WatchingAmerica.com, this article from the U.K.'s Daily Telegraph made me smile. The piece quotes a very senior Chinese official telling more good sense about their and our (America's) economic problems than we can hear from 100 experts on American cable TV. It describes the (almost perfect) asymmetry between the U.S.'s and Chinese economic challenges … [Read more...] about For Lovers of Symmetry (Economic Truth from China)
Airstrikes That Killed Dozens of Afghan Civilians Was Ordered on the Basis of One Informant
See, it's stuff like this that helps explain why Afghans -- and many others -- are convinced that the United States doesn't believe Afghan lives matter all that much: … [Read more...] about Airstrikes That Killed Dozens of Afghan Civilians Was Ordered on the Basis of One Informant
Is it Triggertime?
Buried in the weekly Sunday back-and-forth wrangling over the health care reform bill - and the public option in particular - was a particularly important comment from Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson today: I think [Obama] has to say that if there's going to be a public option, it's going to be subject to a trigger. Nelson added in his remarks on CNN that this shouldn't be just … [Read more...] about Is it Triggertime?
“We see 8-year-olds telling Mom not to worry, don’t cry”
If you're looking for holes in our national security, try San Antonio, Texas. Or Asheville, North Carolina: … [Read more...] about “We see 8-year-olds telling Mom not to worry, don’t cry”
God Bless Jerry Lewis
I must admit that when it comes to the man and his work, my views are somewhat mixed. I find some of Jerry's stuff is absolutely brilliant but much of his slapstick humor goes a bit silly for me. I've also heard that when it comes to Jerry Lewis the man he's not exactly the nicest human being and can often be quite a jerk. But when it comes to Labor Day weekend I can say … [Read more...] about God Bless Jerry Lewis
Leave No Man Behind—65 Years Later
Part of the spirit and the culture of the U.S. military is the creed that you don’t leave anyone behind---whether injured, captured, or dead. For example, the U.S. Army Ranger Creed, the oath Army Rangers take, includes these words: “I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy …” Several books and numerous articles have been devoted to this … [Read more...] about Leave No Man Behind—65 Years Later
Send The Peace Corps, Not More Troops, To Afghanistan
I'm not gloating but two New York Times columnists agree with my assessment that U.S. military presence in Afghanistan is untenable although neither go as far as my desire to pull out all our troops. Normally, opinions by New York Times columnists are not those that sway the powers in Washington. But in the case of Afghanistan the White House and Pentagon should be taking … [Read more...] about Send The Peace Corps, Not More Troops, To Afghanistan
“Their Martyrs, Our Heroes”
Matttbastard tweeted the link to an article in Le Monde, by John Feffer, that is sure to raise conservative hackles, but there is a lot of truth to it, in my view. The gist of the piece (it's long) is that there is a fine line between "their" suicide bombers and "our" military heroes -- and that line can get very blurry. Here is the opening: … [Read more...] about “Their Martyrs, Our Heroes”
The Case in Favor of Speech Limits on Corporations
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (08-205), the Supreme Court case that will decide whether the government has the right to restrict corporate political advocacy or whether such regulation is a violation of the First Amendment, is set for re-argument on Wednesday. The case originated in the past term. SCOTUS blog has a full argument preview. In a segment … [Read more...] about The Case in Favor of Speech Limits on Corporations
Obama’s Lesson: Poland Can’t Count on the United States: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
If you happen to work for the Obama Administration and you're reading these words, get ready for an earful. According to columnist Marcin Bosacki of Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza, Eastern European and particularly Polish discontent with the White House is high, and the reasons essentially boil down to the following: The decision to ditch the Bush-era anti-missile shield which was … [Read more...] about Obama’s Lesson: Poland Can’t Count on the United States: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
Quote of the Day: Republicans and the Obama Administration
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Democratic activist Joe Trippi on CNN's State of the Union with John King: “They’re going to keep gunning,” Democratic strategist Joe Trippi said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, referring to conservatives’ recent — and ultimately successful efforts — to target Obama’s green jobs adviser Van Jones over controversial comments he … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Republicans and the Obama Administration
Reflections on a statement by Edward R. Murrow on Senator Joseph McCarthy and an “Age of Unreason”
Regarding Senator Joseph McCarthy: His primary achievement has been in confusing the public mind . . . We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason. -Edward R. … [Read more...] about Reflections on a statement by Edward R. Murrow on Senator Joseph McCarthy and an “Age of Unreason”
Meet the Press Showdown: Ford v. Giuliani
Does anyone still believe that the Republicans entered into negotiations on health care with a good faith belief that compromise could be achieved? Rudy Giuliani certainly does. On Meet the Press this morning, Giuliani explained why he believes it was President Obama who never made a good faith effort to bring Republicans on board. This clip shows Giuliani was given his due … [Read more...] about Meet the Press Showdown: Ford v. Giuliani
Betting On Tulips And Houses Is So Passé…How About On Death?
This sort of thinking is exactly what we need to turn things around. After the mortgage business imploded last year, Wall Street investment banks began searching for another big idea to make money. They think they may have found one. The bankers plan to buy “life settlements,” life insurance policies that ill and elderly people sell for cash — $400,000 for a $1 million … [Read more...] about Betting On Tulips And Houses Is So Passé…How About On Death?
Obama Advisor Van Jones Resigns: Poor Vetting By Administration
White House environmental adviser Van Jones has now resigned in the latest installment of the nearly frenzied partisan skirmish between the Obama administration and political foes who are clearly battling it and Barack Obama himself every centimeter of the way. But can this one be blamed on the administration's foes -- or on poor, incredibly amateurish vetting by an … [Read more...] about Obama Advisor Van Jones Resigns: Poor Vetting By Administration
Speaker for the Dead Presidents
Actually, the title for this column should have been, "In Defense of Obama," but I finally rejected that for two primary flaws. First, regular readers here might have had some sort of disastrous coronary event seeing such a title with my byline attached. Second, the defense I offer will seem something less than enthusiastic enough for the Obama faithful. But, if nothing else, I … [Read more...] about Speaker for the Dead Presidents
Anne, Please, Drink A Glass of Warm Milk and Get Some Sleep
Anne Bayefsky of the National Review Online is having trouble breathing, and I think she might be about to pass out. And who can blame her, considering that she is writing about Pres. Obama, who once again is putting us all in mortal danger with his disgracefully irresponsible behavior (emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about Anne, Please, Drink A Glass of Warm Milk and Get Some Sleep
Why the Difference Between 1991 and 2009?
Some of you may have seen references to a speech Bush 41 gave to schoolchildren in 1991. Jim Lindgren was curious enough to look into the matter further (emphasis in original): … [Read more...] about Why the Difference Between 1991 and 2009?
Utah Republican Gov. Gary Herbert Supports Obama’s Speech To Schoolkids
Yes, here is proof that not all Republicans buy into or are part of the talk radio political culture. The AP reports: Republican Gov. Gary Herbert supports President Barack Obama's plan to deliver a televised back-to-school speech to the nation's students on Tuesday, saying he sees "nothing but good coming out of this." Herbert said he favors letting students listen to … [Read more...] about Utah Republican Gov. Gary Herbert Supports Obama’s Speech To Schoolkids